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On 6 March 2017, Bendigo Health Chair, Bob Cameron, officially opened the wonderful new tranquil garden space in front of the new hospital more than a year ahead of schedule.

The garden was one of the components of Stage 2 of the project which is not due to be delivered until mid-2018.

Bob Cameron said that Exemplar Health decided to open the garden early because they saw the value in providing a lovely landscaped place for patients and staff.

Equipped with a number of benches, the garden space is the future home of feature artworks commissioned by Exemplar Health with the assistance of Bendigo Art Gallery.

The next phase of the garden will be the completion of a walk way between the Anne Caudle building and the new hospital which is integral to the vision of creating one hospital precinct.

Acting CEO, Peter Faulkner, said the new garden opened up the area in front of the hospital and allowed visitors to understand the vision of the precinct between the new and old buildings.

“The next phase will see us open a garden with a disability friendly pathway between our retained buildings, where patients may need to go for allied health services or to use the hydrotherapy pool, and the new hospital. It will also provide easier access for staff,” Mr Faulkner said.

“There is a big focus now on the commencement of works on the old hospital site. The builders’ hoardings are up and in the coming weeks we will see the demolition of Kurmala and Stanistreet buildings.

“This will pave the way for the construction of a multi-storey car park with a conference centre, retail space and most importantly, a helipad for rapid transfer of critically ill patients,” Mr Cameron said.

On 23 February 2017, marked the completion of an exciting first month in the new Bendigo Hospital.

For the occasion, Bendigo Health Chair Bob Cameron, Exemplar Health CEO Michele Morrison, Bendigo Health Aboriginal Hospital Liaison Officer Dave Kerr and long serving staff member Helen Hilson, who started at Bendigo Health in April 1969, raised the flags at the new hospital.

The past month has seen us welcome more than 100 babies, had 3,231 patient admissions, almost 4,000 presentations to our Emergency Department, 759 operations and 6,277 appointments in our specialist clinics.

January 25, 2017: The new Bendigo Hospital now offers patrons an array of quality retail and food outlets as Melbourne-based Zouki group, which operate cafes, convenience stores and retail precincts in more than 60 outlets across Australia.

Five new food, gift and convenience outlets were today opened by Exemplar Health chief executive, Michele Morrison, Bendigo Health chief executive, John Mulder and Zouki group executive director, Faddy Zouky.

Mr Zouky said one of the key gaps identified in traditional hospital designs from the past is the lack of retail facilities, and places for staff, patients, visitors and students to unwind and recharge in a busy hospital environment.

“We understand the demands of modern healthcare environments, and we have built a reputation of great service, fresh produce and quality retail to ensure we satisfy the needs of all patrons that are part of the hospital precinct.

“In Bendigo we are working with staff who have transferred from Bendigo Health’s hospitality outlets, and new staff who want work with us, all who choose to enjoy living and working in central Victoria.” He said the focus on local doesn’t stop there.

“Certainly 2017 is an exciting year for Zouki, we’re utilising local ingredients and goods by working with regional suppliers, and we’ve planned future staff benefits and opportunities for Spotless and Bendigo Health, while also looking forward to supporting the important work of the Bendigo Health Foundation,” said Mr Zouky.

Exemplar Health chief executive Michele Morrison said that the Zouki group will have eight outlets in total across the new hospital precinct.

“This week we have proudly opened stage one of the Bendigo Hospital Project, and in February we will commence works on stage two of the project, which is due for completion in mid-2018. These works will include the construction of a multi-deck carpark, helipad and link-bridge plus the establishment of three additional Zouki outlets, including a conference centre,” Ms Morrison said.

“On behalf of Bendigo Health and Exemplar Health, we officially welcome Zouki to Bendigo, and look forward to seeing this highly experienced company deliver quality foods and services to staff, patients and visitors to the hospital.”

January 24, 2017: All inpatients have arrived safely at Bendigo Health’s new hospital in Mercy Street. A total of around 170 patients were moved over the course of the day.

Patients are now settling into their rooms and being visited by their families and loved ones. According to Bendigo Health’s Chief Executive John Mulder, the day ran safely and smoothly.

“Patients and staff are thrilled with the new facility. The months of planning paid off; today went smoothly and to plan,” Mr Mulder said.

“I am very grateful to everyone who played a role in the day and extend my thanks to our community who have been such strong supporters of this project from the beginning.

“We are still in the very early stages of this transition and we are all focused on ensuring everything continues to run smoothly during the coming week.

“Tomorrow is another big day as we welcome patients to oncology, clinics and begin elective surgery.”

Old buildings will be decommissioned during the coming weeks and Phase 2 of the project will begin with the demolition of Stanistreet House and the Kurmala building.

Phase 2 includes construction of a multi-storey car park and helipad which will link to the new hospital via a two storey air bridge over Arnold Street. There will also be a conference centre and retail space.

Bendigo Health’s new hospital will commence full service operations in its new home from tomorrow, Wednesday 25 January 2017.

Bendigo Health CEO John Mulder has officially closed the Emergency Department on the current Bendigo Hospital site. From 8am Tuesday 24 January all emergency presentations will be to the new Bendigo Hospital with access to the new Emergency Department via Drought Street.

January 20,2017: Jacinta Allan, member for Bendigo East, and Exemplar Health CEO, Michele Morrison, handed over the new Bendigo Hospital to Bendigo Health Chairman, Bob Cameron, in advance of the planned clinical move on January 24.

The Victorian Government appointed Exemplar Health to design and build the new hospital back in May 2013, commencing construction in the June of that year.

Bendigo Health Chairman, Bob Cameron said he was very impressed with the quality of the building and was excited for the residents of the Loddon Mallee region who will benefit from the world class facility.

“The handover of the building is a wonderful milestone. I know all our staff are excited about the planned clinical move next Tuesday and they are busily packing their offices and preparing for their new workplace,” Mr Cameron said.

Monday, November 21: Construction of the $630 million world-class new Bendigo Hospital is finished one month ahead of schedule.
Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today joined Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan to celebrate the ‘technical completion’ of the new hospital that will open its doors to patients in late January.
After an extensive inspection, an independent reviewer issued a certificate last week giving the final construction works the tick of approval. Final testing can now be carried out to ensure the hospital meets specifications.
The early completion of the project means more than 3000 staff who will be transitioning into the new facility have access to the building a month early to complete training and induction, and orientation.
It also allows additional time to conduct more simulation exercises and readiness testing to ensure a smooth move day when patients will be transferred to the new hospital.
“We’re putting patients in Bendigo first, ensuring they can access the very best healthcare when they need it, close to home. This world-class new hospital will do just that,” she said.
Finishing touches now underway include installation of cutting edge medical equipment, landscaping and the delivery of new furniture such as trolleys, cabinets and chairs. There are now about 150 workers still onsite.
The massive new hospital – regional Victoria’s largest ever hospital project – was signed off by the former Labor Government in 2010, and will create an additional 220 jobs in its first 12 months.
When it opens next year, it will have capacity for 372 inpatient beds, 72 same-day beds, 11 operating theatres, an integrated cancer centre, a new 25-bed maternity unit and an 80-bed mental health unit.
In 2016/17, Bendigo Health will receive $275.25 million in funding from the Labor Government. This is $32.17 million – or 13.2 per cent – more than provided the previous financial year in order to expand services when the new Bendigo Hospital opens.

The focus surrounding the new Bendigo Hospital has shifted to the training and orientation of Bendigo Health staff.

“The finishing touches are going on the building from a construction perspective and we are less than three months away from opening this state of the art facility,” said Bendigo West MP, Maree Edwards.

“The next few months will be a busy, but exciting time for more than 3000 Bendigo Health staff who will complete training, orientation and induction into the new hospital.

“For many staff, this will be their first opportunity to see, touch and learn about their new environment and I’m sure they are very excited about that.”

The training, orientation and induction program will be delivered by the hospital project’s consortium, Exemplar Health, in conjunction with Bendigo Health.

“This transition period is all about ensuring our staff are ready to operate the new facility when it comes time to open,” said Bendigo Health board chair, Bob Cameron.

“New equipment training, familiarisation, testing and simulations are just some of the activities that will be undertaken right up until the day the doors open.”

The $630 million Bendigo Hospital Project is Victoria’s largest regional hospital development, delivering world-class healthcare in a tranquil and caring environment for patients, staff, and visitors.The new hospital has been ten years in the planning, designing and building phases. Construction of the facility began in 2013, and is scheduled to open in late January 2017.

Although the new Bendigo Hospital cuts an imposing figure on the city’s skyline, heritage buildings that have stood the test of time are also benefiting from the Bendigo Hospital Project. Works to restore Bendigo Health’s heritage buildings continue and once complete, will become an important feature of the overall precinct.

“We know Bendigo has an incredibly rich architectural history and this is something we want to celebrate,” Bendigo East MP Jacinta Allan said during a tour of the restoration site. “The works associated with heritage restoration include the Hope Street wall, the Anne Caudle Centre, the former Lying-in Hospital, West Wing, Concert Hall and the former Superintendent’s Building.

“Once the restoration and associated landscaping works are complete, these magnificent buildings will once again shine.”

Earlier this week, a new entrance to the majestic Anne Caudle Centre building opened, complete with three level lift and disabled access.

External works on the West Wing, Concert Hall and Old Lying-In Hospital are complete and internal refurbishment continues.

“These buildings will be repurposed for offices and internal staff training, so not only will they look fantastic, but they will be put to good use,” Bendigo Health board chair, Bob Cameron, said.

Heritage works and associated landscaping throughout this precinct will continue until around the second half of 2017.

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Stage 2 of the Bendigo Hospital Project includes the construction of a 65 metre, 2 storey, air link bridge over Arnold Street. This will link the helipad and car park, which is currently under construction, with the new hospital building. more »